Fluid proportioner



June 9, 1953 R. B. PREssLER FLUID PRoPoRTIoNER 12 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. l5. 1951 TPL ER. Y. .L0 E 5T N 5N om Em o EN WH P. A nD June 9, 1953 R. B. PREssLE'R 2,641,271

FLUID PRoPoRTIoNER Filed Feb. 13, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 RALPH ,Evt PRESSLER INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY June 9, 1953 R. B. PREssLER 2,641,271

FLUID PROPORTIONER Filed Feb, 1s, 1951 12 sheets-sheet s RALPH E. PRassLEra INVENTOR.

m-ToRNgY' June 9, 1953 R.' B. PREssLL-:R 2,641,271

FLUIDPROPORTIONER med Feb. 15, 1951 12 sheets-sheet 4 RALPH B. Par-.snare l j JNVENToR.

1,. v j i June 9, 1953 Filed Feb. 13, 1951 R. B. PRES'SLER FLUID PRoPoRTIoNER 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 RALPH B. PRESSLER INVENTOR.

Bmdfm RT TORNEY June 9, 1953 R. B. PREssLER 2,641,271

FLUID PROPORTIONER Filed Feb. 13, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 RALPH B. PRESSLER INVENTOR.

BYMJ/.W gym ATTORNEY June 9, 1953 R. 5. PREssLl-:R 2,641,271

FLUID PROPORTIONER Filed Feb. 15, 1951 12 sheetheet 7 O al, .3,5 307 3 a 9 IH H A A `v I 43 A v. a q' a ol RALPH BPR: LER INV TOR.

ATToRNEY June 9, 1953 R. B. PREssLER 2,641,271

FLUID PROPORTIONER Filed Feb. 15, 1951 12 sheets-sheet s FIS.

RALPH El PRassLER JNVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY June 9, 1953 R. B. PREssLER 2,641,271

FLUID PROPORTIONER Filed Feb. 13, 1951 -12 Sheets-Sheet 9 R ALPH. E. PRESSLER IN VENTOR.

ATTQRNEY June 9, 1953 R. B. PREssLER FLUID PROPORTIONER 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Feb. 15, 1951 RALPH B. PREssLE l INVENTOR.

HTTORNEY June 9, 1953 R. B. PRESSLER 2,641,271

FLUID PROPORTIONER Filed Feb. 15, 1951 l2 Sheets-Sheet l1 I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I l RALPH En. PRassLm 5 INVENTOR.

BW/fa@ ATTORNEY R. B. PRESSLER FLUID PROPORTIONER June 9, 1953 12 sheets-smeet 12 Filed Feb. 13, 1951 RALPH B. PRassLER INVENTOR. BYW//Mw ATTORNEY Patented June 9, 1953 FLUID PROPORTIONER Ralph B. Pressler, Fort Wayne, Ind., assigner to Bowser, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., a corpora.-

tion of Indiana Application February 13, 1 951, Serial No. v210,655

(C1. IS7-87 24 Claims.

This invention relates to a proportioner for fluids. More specifically, it relates to a mecha.- .nism to which a number of fluids may be supplied under pressure and which will mix said fluids in predetermined proportions, maintaining the proportions constant by adjusting the iiow of al1 of the iiuids as the supply of one or more of the fluids increases or decreases.

It is an object of the invention to provide a proportioner in which the speed standard is equal to the Sum of the output Speeds of all of the meters.

A further object of the invention is to provide a proportioner in which the speed standard varies with the speed of each of the meters.

Yet another Object cf the invention is to provide a proportioner in which the order of arrangement of the .meters in the system is independent of the percentage of the total output which is being dispensed oy Such meter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a number of individual metering units which may be assembled into a proportioner in any order.

Yet another object of the invention is to pro* vde means for registering the total volume of-v` the liquid dispensed by each meter and the total volume of the liquid dispensed by all of the meters.

It is Still another object of the invention to provide means for indicating when the per' entage setting means are not properly engaged.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for indicating directly the percentage setting on each meter.

These and4 other objects will become apparent ,from a study of this specification and the drawings which are attached hereto andv made a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of thc Droportioning system.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of a battery of metering units connected to constitute a proportoner.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the apparatus of Figure 2.

Figure. 4; is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 2 viewed from the right thereof.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a variator unit.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line of Figure. 5 showing the drive to the. Speed standard increment shaft.

Figure is a sectional View taken substantially on. line 'Le-'l of Figure 5 showing the percentage setting gearing and lever mechanism,

Figure is a plan view of the variator unit oi' Figure 5 showing the percentage vindicating mechanism.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View through the variator unit taken substantially on line 9--9 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the eounterdrive and the speed standard Cm- DOunding gearing.

Figure ll is a sectional view taken on the `'line II-II of Figure 410 showing the reversing Vgearmg.

V.Figure 12 is an elevation viewed 'substantially from the line '.I2-I2 of Figure 1D showing the stop -pawl and ratchet v'for preventing reversefrotation of the vspeed standard increment shaft.

Figure 1,3 is an elevation showing the valve adjusting and shut-olf mechanisms and the shut-off indicator.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken substantially cn line Illy-I4 of Figure 13 showing the gearing for'the shut-off indicator.

Figure 15 is a sectional View of the mechanism of Figure 13 taken substantially on line I 5-I 5 thereof.

Figure i6 is a sectional view of the control valve.

Figure 17 is a plan view of a percentage setting vdial for :percentages of from .05% to v5% in increments of .05%.

Figure 18 is an elevation, partly in section, showing a power take-olf.

Figur-e 19 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line l9-I9 of Figure 9 showing the connection with the adjusting screw.

General construction Referring first to Figures l, 2, 3 and 4, the numerals I, 3 and 5 represent individual metering units, the frames 1', 'I" of which are bolted together to form an integral proportion'er. Each frame has mounted rtherein a meter 9, 9'., y9" having a pipe I I, I I", I'I" connecting it through a valve I2, I2', I2" with a pump I3, I3', I3", the suction pipe I5, I 5', I 5" of whichis connected with a supply tank or other source ofl .liquid not shown. Motorsj I1, I1', 'ITI" are shown for 'driving the respective pumps. The pumps and lmotors are not mounted in the frames.

Discharge lines I9, I9', I9 from the respective meters extend outside of the frame and are connected to a manifold 2 l.

Each meter has an output shaft 23, 2,3', 23" m which is connected in the 'order named, a power take-0f! 25., 25', 25"' and a differential unit 21, 21', 21". The latter is connected by a shaft 24, 24', 24" to an adjusting nut 29, 29', 29".

The power take-off drives, through a cable 3|, 3|', 3|", a register 33, 33', 33" which indicates the gallons dispensed by its associated meter. It is preferred that the register be of the resettable type so that on each operation, all of the registers may start from zero.

Each dierential unit or mechanism imparts to its speed standard increment shaft 35, 35', 35" the speed of its associated meter. The final increment shaft 35" is -connected by sprockets 2,1, 39 and chain 4| to the speed standard shaft or 100% shaft 43 which constitutes a speed standard means. The differential mechanisms thus constitute a speed adding means which sums up the individual meter speeds into a single standard speed. All of the shafts 35 are connected together and all of the shafts 43 are connected together by suitable couplings 36. The shaft 43 drives all of the variators or change speed mechanisms 45, 45', 45" which in turn drive the adjusting screws or output drives 41, 41', 41". A totals register 49 which records the sum of the totals on the registers 33, 33', 33" is driven by a shaft 50 and power take-off 5| from the 100% shaft 43.

A lever 53, 53', 53" is pivoted at 55, 55', 55" and each has at one end a yoke 51, 51', 51" received in the associated adjusting nut while the other end is connected by a link 59, 59', 59" Vto the associated valve. Each adjusting nut and adjusting screw constitutes a differential mechanisrn in which the speeds of the meter and the speed change mechanisms are combined in a. subtracting manner so that the direction of movement of the lever 53 or output member is a function of the difference of the two speeds.

A plunger 6|, 6|', 6|" is connected to each lever and serves to open one or the other of two normally closed, series connected switches 63, 65, 63', 65', 65". The sets of series connected switches are connected in series in line 91 which supplies power from main switch 69 to the respective motors and the other line 1| runs direct to the motors from said switch 69.

If desired, each meter unit may be provided with an inlet pressure tube 13" (Fig. 4) leading from the valve |2" to a pressure gage 15" and an outlet pressure tube 11" leading from the outlet side of the meter to a pressure gage 19".

Also, a thermometer bulb 8|" may be connected yin the outlet line |9 and connected through a tube 83" to a dial 85".

Power take-offs (Fig. 1s)

The power take-off 25 shown in Figure 18 is the same as that used at 50 to drive the register 49 so that only one need be described.

The shaft 23 has pinned to it a worm gear '81 which is rotatably mounted in the case 89.

The worm meshes with the Worm wheel 9| which fis mounted in the case with its axis at 90 de- .gre'es to thatof the shaft. The core 93 of the flexible cable 3| is keyed in the hub of the wheel while the bell 95 on the cable housing is fixed to the case.

Dz'yerentz'al mechanism (Figures 1, 4, l0, 11 and 12) Referring particularly to Figure 10, the differ- -ential mechanism indicated generally by the numerals 21, 21', 21" comprise a hollow case 91 4 which is fitted with right and left end caps 99, |0| and a top cap |03. The case has a downwardly projecting boss |05 having an axial bore |01 in which are mounted needle bearings |09 to rotatably support the shaft 23. A bevel gear is mounted on the shaft inside the case.

The end caps 99, 0| are provided with centering bosses ||3, ||5 which enter bores in the case, with bearing bosses |1, |9 concentric with and of smaller diameter than the first mentioned bosses and additional bearing bosses |2|, |23 concentric with and of smaller diameter than the last mentioned bosses. The caps are provided with coaxial bores |25, |21.

Bearings |29 are provided in bore |25 to rotatably support the input speed standard increment sha-ft 35"'. A miter gear |3| is fixed to the inner end of this shaft with the end of its hub riding on the end of boss |2| as a thrust bearing. A ratchet |33 is fixed to the shaft adjacent a cap plate |35 which is mounted on the end cap 99 and which carries a pawl |31 pivotally mounted at |39 (see Fig. 12). A suitable spring |4| urges the pawl into contact with the ratchet. A similar pawl |33 and ratchet |40 are fixed to the plate |42 and shaft 23 to prevent reverse rotation thereof.

An intermediate shaft |43 is rotatably carried in bearings |45 mounted in bore |21. A miter gear 41 is xed to the inner end of the shaft with the end of its hub in abutting relation with the end of boss |23 which serves as a thrust bearing therefor. A spur gear |49 is fixed to the other end of the shaft and rides against a bearing plate |5|.

A differential cage |53 which is essentially a cylinder has its ends supported by bearings |55, |56 which are disposed on the bosses ||1, ||9. A shaft |51 is fixed centrally and diametrically in the cage and has a reduced end portion |59 which supports a bearing |6| and a planetary miter pinion |63 which meshes with the pinions |3l, |41 described above.

Fixed to the differential case is a bevel gear |65 which meshes with the gear and with a bevel gear |61 which is mounted on a shaft 24 rotatably supported in bearings |69 in the boss |1| of cap |03. The hub of the gear abuts the inner end of the boss While a collar |13 fixed on the shaft abuts the outer end of the boss to properly position the gear. The end of the shaft 24 extending beyond the collar is square in crosssection.

rI'he gears |3I, |41 and |63 have the same number of teeth. The gears and |61 have the same number of teeth so that the ratio of shaft 23 to shaft 24 is l to 1. The gear |65, however, has 36 teeth so that the cage |53 will rotate once for every two revolutions of gear which has I6 teeth.

A housing |15 nts over cap 10| and is provided with an end cap |11 which is provided with a hub |19. A bore l8| therein is coaxial with shaft |43 and contains bearings |83 which support the output or speed standard increment shaft 35. A gear is fixed to the inner end of the shaft and abuts a bearing plate |81. The ends of shafts |43 and 35 also abut to hold the shaft 35 in place.

Two parallel shafts |89, |9| are mounted in suitable bearings |93, in the caps I0| and |11 respectively. A gear |91 having a long hub is mounted on shaft |89 so that the ends of A second gear |99 is mounted II, .|81 and meshes with gear |85. The two gears |91 and |93 are long enough so that they also mesh with each other as is shown by the dotted line in Fig. l0. The effect of this gearing is merely to reverse the direction of rotation of shaft 35 relative to shaft |43.

Varictor (Figures l, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, E) und 1T) Referring first to Figures 5 and 6, the numeral 26| represents the frame of the variator which includes depending ears 203 which are provided with axial bores 205. Bearings 201 are mounted in the bores and rotatably support the speed standard or 100% shaft 43. Endwise travel of the shaft is prevented by the collars 225, one ci. which abuts the one ear and the other of which abuts a thrust bearing 2|! which in turn abut the adjacent ear.

Shaft i3 carries a helical. gear 2|3 which meshes with a helicai gear 2 I5 mounted on shaft 2li disposed. at right angles adjacent shaft 23. Shaft 2 I1 carries at its upper end a cone gear 2|9 and has a reduced lower` end 22| which is piloted in a bearing 223 mounts the adjusting screw 225 which is coaxial with the shaft. The upper end of shaft 2H is also piloted in a bearing 221.

The adjusting screw I1 has its lower end threaded at 229 and is provided with an upwardly facing shoulder 23| upon which rests a collar 233. The screw is rotatable on bearings 235 in the boss 231 which forms a part ci cap which is Fixed to the frame [i thrust bearing 24| is disposed between the collar and the lower end of the boss.

A ccilar 2233, having a square end-flange 255, is by means of tangential pins 2&1, to the upper end of the screw. A thrust bearing 229 is confined between the flange 2&5 and the inner end of the boss.

The drive to the adjusting screw is through the cone gear 2 I 9 and the differential mechanism indicated generally by numeral 25|.

Referring particularly to Fig. 7, three shafts 251 which will be referred to hereafter the units, tens and hundreds shafts respectiveiy are disposed about, parallel to but spaced from shaft 2li' and are spaced 120 degrees from each other.

of said shafts is supported in suitable cs in the variator frame. As is shown in i the trarne in a bushing 225i in the bracket which comprises a top plate 255 and three depending 2t? which are xed to plate the top of the frame. An indicator plate it@ .is mounted on the top plate.

Each ci' the shafts has a collar such as 21| on shaft which is supported against endwise movement in one direction by a thrust bearing 2'? and in the other direction by a collar 215.

A. gear 211 is slidably mounted on the upper end of the shaft 253 which is provided with a long keyway 219 to receive the key 22| fixed the gear. The gear will thus turn the shaft.

A bell crank 233 having one arm 28? bifurin a plane perpendicular to the oi rotation ci the crank is rotatably and slidably mounted on the shaft. The bifurcated arm spans the gear 211 as shown in Figure 9 and carries, in mesh with said gear, an idler gear 281 and 'talsenor gear 288 which may be selectively engaged with the steps of the cone gear, as shown in Figure 7.

A lever 289 having a finger piece 29| is pivoted at 295 on .the other arm of the bell crank. This lever carries a pin 291 which is adapted to selectively enter the holes '299 in the associated leg 261. When the pin enters a. hole, the takemff gear is positioned on the step of the cone gear `which corresponds to the hole.

The lever 283 has an arm 293 which is connected by a link to 30| to an arm 333 on a bifurcated lever 305. A bail 301 is pivotally mounted at each end on the shaft 253, runs the length oi' the shaft and is conned within the bifurcated part of the lever. The upper end of the bail is extended beyond the shaft and formed as a pointer 383.

A second bail 3H is also pivotally mounted at each end on the shaft 253, spans the bail and its upper end extended beyond the shaft to form a pointer 3I3. The bail is spanned by a pair of ears SI5 on the bell crank 223.

When the bell crank is positioned with the take-oil? gear properly meshed with a step of the cone and when the pin 291 is properly entered in a hole 233, the punters will be aligned. Thus any disalig-mnent of the pointers indicates that the setting is improperly made.

It will be seen that the legs 281 have a helical edge 311 which is in contact with the edge of lever 283 to move the take-oir gear 289 toward and away from the cone gear as the lever is moved vertically, to assist in properly positionthe gears, lever and pin 291.

The pointers 3&3, 3|3 cooperate with a scale on the plate 253. In the case of shaft 255 this scale is designated the 5i scale, shaft 2h?? the B scale and shaft 253 the C scale.

The shaft 253 carries xed to it a. gear 32| which meshes with a gear 323 xed to the sun which rotates freely upon shaft 2|1. A planetary carrier 321 rotates freely on the of the gears 323, 325 and carries t.. e planeta y pinions 32S, 33| of which pinions 325i mesh with the gear 325 and pinions 33| mesh with 333 which is fixed to a gear 335.

The carrier 321 has iixed to it a gear S31 which is driven by a gear 339 fixed to the shaft and which is by the cone gear through an adjustable mechanism 342 similar to that described in connection with shaft 253. Thus the rotations of both shafts 253 and are coinpounded .in a known manner and the gears 333, 33t are rotated at a speed equal to the sum of the two speeds.

A planetary carrier 3M is freely rotatable on the hub of gears 333, 335 and has fixed to it a gear 353 which is driven by a 325 nxeo to shaft 255. The latter is driven from the cone gear by a mechanism 341 which is in ail respects similar to mechanism 331.

This carrier has rotatably mounted thereon number of planetary pinions 323, the iormer of which mesh with gear 335 and the latter of which mesh with a gear 353 xed to the socket member 355 which is freely rotatable on shaft 2li and which is slotted at 351 to receive the square flange 245 on the adjusting screw fil. The socket and flange form, in effect, an Gildharn coupling.

In this manner the sum ci the rotations of shafts 253 and 251 as represented by gear 335 is compounded in a known manner (as dew scribed below) with the rotation of the shaft 255 so that the speed of the adjusting screw is the sum of the speeds of all three 251, 253 multiplied by' l, #Re and 1/100 respectively.

Control mechanism (Figures 4, 9, 10, 13, 14 and 15) A housing 359 is connected to the lower part of the variator frame i and to the upper part of the diierential case 9i'.

An adjusting nut 20 is threaded at its upper end to receive the threaded end 22S of the adjusting screw di' and is provided at its lower end with a bushing 353 having a square hole 355 therein to slidably receive the shaft 24. Thus if the speeds or" the shaft 24 and screw 4l are different, the nut will move axially up or down on the screw shat.

The nut a central groove 3G? which receives the rollers 350 rotatably mounted on the arms of a yoke l formed on one end of the adjusting lever 53 which is pivotally mounted on shaft 55 on the housing 359. The shaft 55 is supported in hollow plugs 3l? which enter the housing from either side and which serve also to centralise the lever and yoke with respect to the nut.

An arm t?" branches at an angle from the outer end of er 51.3 and receives the pin 35i which passes through yoke S90 on the upper end oi the valve actuating link 59. The latter is connected to the lever 385 of the valve I2 by means o an adjustable yoke 307.

The outer end of the lever 53 is bi'iurcated at 3'59 (Figs. 4 and 3 5) to pivotally receive the pin 35i on which the switch rod Gl mounted. The switch rod is slidably guided in a bracket 393 mounted on the variator frame.

A pair of collars "5 are fused to the rod and actuate respectively the levers 309, 453i of Speed indicator (Figures 4, 13, 14 und 15) A stud 4l5 is set in a cap 4H which is fastened to the housing 359 and a pair 0f bosses 4|9 rotatably support a shaft 512i in parallelism with the stud. A double-armed lever 423, 425 is pivotally mounted on the stud and one arm carries a Yroller 2l which enters the groove Sil? of the adjusting nut. The arm 425 is formed as a gear sector which meshes with a gear 429 on shaft ll.

A socket 3l for a rod is ixed to the outer end of shaft 421 and the rod is connected at the other end to a pointer 35 which cooperates with a scale @3l on the dial panel 439 to indicate the axial position of the nut relative to the screw.

Case

Each of the metering units is provided with a front panel ed! which is supported on the frame 'l and has a window behind which the instrument-s are mounted on the panel 53S.

Each of the end units 'E and 1" is provided with a side panel 443, 443".

Each unit .is also supplied with a cover 445 which is pivotally mounted on a hinge. 447' at the rear of the frame. The cover has a window 449 which is disposed adjacent the register 33 so that the latter may be read.

Variations It is obvious that the three metering units shown are only representative of different types of units. These units may be combined in any reasonable number and in any order. Also, the units may be of any type 0r combination of types.

Thus one proportioner might be made of four metering units using large meters such as shown in the unit indicated by numeral 3 while another proportioner might comprise three of these units with one of the units indicated by numeral 5.

Thus great flexibility is attained in the manufacture of proportioners from the individual metering units.

Operation (Figures 1, S and 17) Let us assume that the metering units l and 3 have a one to one reduction in the variators and that unit 5 has a ten to one reduction and that each of the meters 5, 9', 9 are so geared that their respective shafts 23, 23', 23 will rotate one revolution for each gallon of liquid put tirough the meter. The variatore 45 and 45 will have indicator plates 259 (Fig. 8) while variator 45 will have a plate 45! (Fig. 17).

Let us assume that the proportion of the liquid to be supplied by unit i is 30%, that to be supplied by unit 3 is 60% and that by unit 4 is 10%, totaling On the nrst unit the gear changing mechanism 34T is set with its pointer indicating the "0 mark on the A scale. The mechanism 340 is operated to set its pointer on the 30 mark on the B scale. The mechanism 283 is operated to set its pointer on the C scale at 0. In the case of the A and C scale mechanisms, their take-ofi gears are held out of Contact with the cone gear and their gear trains are locked against rotation by xed stops (not shown). The rst unit is thus set to deliver 30%,

The second unit is to deliver 60% so that its mechanism 34? is operated to set the pointer to indicate "50 on the A scale; its mechanism 340 is operated to set its pointer at l0 on the B scale; and mechanism 283 is operated to set its pointer at the "0 position on the C" scale in which case it is locked. inactive.

The third unit is then preset by operating mechanism 341 to set the pointer at 10 on the "A scale. The other pointers are set at 0 on tbe B and C scales so that their respective trains are locked and out of engagement with the cone gear.

The pumps are then started and the various liquids are forced through the meters under pressure. Assuming that the total rate of delivery from the proportioner is 100 G. P. M., the shafts 23, 23', 23" are rotated in the same direction (clockwise as viewed in Fig. 3) but at the speeds of 3'0, 60 and l0 R. P. M. respectively. These rotations are transmitted, reversed in direction but unchanged in speeds, to the shafts 24, 24', 24 by means of the gears IIIHBT), {65(36T) and ISYHST). The cage i53 is thus driven at one-half the speed of shafts 23, 24.

In the unit I, the shaft 3 is held against backward rotation. The cage I 53 rotates counterclockwise `(viewed from the left, Fig. 10) and carries gear |41 in the same direction but at twice the speed or the cage so that shaft |43 and gear tilt are rotating at the speed as shafts 23, 2d but in a clockwise direction viewed from the right of Fis. l0. This rotation is reversed by gears it?, itt, 85 so that shaft 3%3 will rotate one revolution per minute counterclock wise. x

The secon-.d and third differentials 2l and 2l" will add he revolutions of the meters S'and 9 to that of meter ll so that the shaft 35 will be driven at a speed equal to the sum or the speeds oi shafts 3, 23', Shaft @it is driven` at the speed of shaft by chain gearing 3i, 39 and il, that is Sii-plus o() plus l or 1.00 R. l?. M.

Reierring nov; to the variators, the gearing from the shaft t3 to shaft li-'i (gears. 213 and il) in each oi" the variatore iii is a one to ratio while in rit it is a teny to one reduction.

Tn each si the ators the gearing from step oi the cone ilito aejusting screw ft'l, through the il@ times the number of teeth on the particular of the cone which is engaged. The cone steps have 8, 15, 24:, 32, 40, a8, 'l2 teeth respectively.

The gearing :from any step of the cone through 2li? to the adjusting screw is -il-. times T15 the numher oi teeth in the step engaged that through shaft 52553` is T1 times 1/100 se number of teeth in the ep engaged 4alte-oh the A, B and C scales on va, eters it, t5 indicate in 59%, 5% and 156% steps respectively while the scales of the variator indicate in and f2/100% steps because of the added ten to one reduetion between shafts and itil'.

The principles oi gearing diselosed in connection with the variators are old and well known in the art and are shown in the patents to O. C. No. ljti, issued April 16, 1929, and W. Carroll No. 2,22970, issued January leal, and others, so that it is not believed neces .f to the gearing in detail.

lroceeding with the afsumed 50%, 16% proportion set up as described above and the assumption that the proportioner is deliveringk loo M., it will he seen that at l revolution per shaft time .vhile times 1oy its galion on the meters, shafts 23. willy be rotating at 30 R. P. M.; shafts Zbl will be rotating at 60 R. P. M. while 3Q will be rotating at 3o plus to cr() R. P, M.; and shaft 23. 2d will be rotating at lo It. P. M. while shafts 3. u ai: fait will be rotating at Se plus o@ plus-10 or 1GO l. The till', lill' of the variatore it will be running at lo() it. l?. while 2li will be operating at l0 R. P. M.

@n variator t5 the shaft l'is operated with the take-ofi gear on the ith from the bottom or liii-tooth step on the cone. The-adjusting screw will therefore he rotated at a speed ofr in the same direction as nut 2G. Thus the speeds of the adjusting nut 29 and-adjustingscrew d? match and the nut will remain stationary, axially.

On the variator the shaft 255 is operated with the take-ofi gear on top or -tooth step so that the speed of the adjusting screw ast the result of this train will be 1G0 8 11g 1=50 R. P. M.

The shaft 251 is also operatvahowever, and its take-off gear is in mesh withthe second gear from the top so that the speed` of. the adjusting screw as `the result of this trainis The sum of the two gear trains is therefore plus '10 or 60 R. P. M. which matches the speed of shaft 2d and the adjusting nut 29 so that the latter will not move axially.

Similarly, on the variator d5 the shaft 255 is set on the second step from the top so that the speed of its adjusting screw will be so' that the speed of the adjusting nut 2Q" is matched and the nut will not be shifted axially.

In the formula used above, in each case, to nd the speed of the adjusting screw, the Erst 'factor is the speed or" the shaft 2H; the second factor, the number of teeth on the step of the cone which is engaged by the take-off gear in the particular train in question; the third factor is the gearing constant; and the last factor is the train constant which is l for the A scale, le for the B scale and 1/100 for the C scale which correspond with the shafts 255, 25? andv 253 respectively. 'Thus as long as the rotational speeds or" the adjusting nuts and shafts are the same, the adjusting nuts will remain in one axial position.

Assume now, that the meter 9 fails to maintain its speed. but: not as much as the meter. Assume that meter running at SGR. P. lvl. lost 3 R. P. M.; the screw would run at 93 l8 1e =27-9 R. P. Mi There would therefore be a tendency for the' nut to run down on the screw which has a right-hand'thread Ifowever, at the same time the screws of the meters 9 and 9. would be running at a reduced rate so that the nuts of theserneters, running faster than the screws, would tend to climb them. Thus the lever and linkageof each nut will operate the associated valve to open the valve in the case o meter 9- and to close the valves in the case of meters 9-' and 9 so that the tendency in all three meters is to maintain the proportion constant. Since:= the' changes occur simultaneously and promptly as. soon as the change occurs in the speed ofanym'eter, the proportion is maintained substantially constant at an output which can be met by all of the meters. The output is thus determined by the speed of the starved meter.

Correction in they opposite direction is also attained if one of the meters speeds up for any reason.v However, since at least one of the valvesy I2, l2', l2 are usually set near the full openposition, it is not possible to compen sate for any marked increase in flow of any one meter.

In any case, if the relative speeds oi? any nut and itsas'sociated screw are not brought into equilibrium, the nut will continue to move in one direction or the other until it, through the rod 6i, operates one or the other of the switches responsible for the stop, and before the pro-l portionerv canl again be started, it is necessary to-"manuall1y rotate the adjusting screw or" this metering? unit to centralize the` nut on the The shaft d3 lwill also lose speed 11 screw. This is done by disconnecting one of the take-olf gears 289 and rotating its shaft in the proper direction.

Should it be desired to cut out one or more of the metering units, all that is necessary is that all three of the pointers of the variators on such unit or units be set to zero on the A, B and C scales. These gear trains are thus all disconnected from the cone gear which revolves freely. The remaining meters must then be set so that the sum of their scale readings is 100% and the proportioner will then be usable on these remaining liquids and will proportion them in accordance with their settings.

It is also possible to operate any one of the metering units by itself to dispense a single liquid.

In this case, the indicators of all the variators except that to be used are set to zero. The A scale of the unit to be used is then set to 100% if it is a unit represented by numerals I or 3 or to l0 in the case of a number 5 unit, which has a. l to l reduction between shafts 43 and 2H, while the B and C scale pointers are set at zero.

In the rst case, assuming that the meter is capable of delivering 50 G. P. M., the shafts 23, 24, 35, and 43 will all rotate 50 R. P. M. With the pointer set at 100 on the A scale the gearing will produce the following adjusting screw speed: 16 l 1=50 R. P. M. Thus the screw and nut will operate at the same speed and in the same direction so that the meter will continue to operate as long as liquid is supplied to it regardless of the rate. If the meter slows or speeds the shaft 43 must follow and there will be no relative movement of the nut and screw.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed herein primarily for purposes of illustration; but instead, he desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two uid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the co .ibination of a differential mechanism having two drives and an output member, means connecting a meter to one of said drives, speed adding means connected to be driven by said meters, a speed standard means connected to be driven by said adding means at a speed equal to the sum of said meter speeds, speed change means connected to be driven by said standard means and having an output shaft connected to actuate the other drive of said differential mechanism in a direction to actuate said output member in accordance with the diierence in the speeds of said drives, and means connected with said output member for adjusting the speed of the associated meter,

2. In a uid proportioner comprising at least two fluid iloW linesy means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of a differential mechanism for each meter, said mechanism having two drives and an output member, means connecting the associated meter to one of said drives, speed adding means connected to be driven by said meters, a speed standard means connected to be driven by said adding means at a speed equal to the sum of said meter speeds, speed change means, one for each meter, connected to be driven oy said standard means and having an output shaft connected to actuate the other drive of the associated differential mechanism in a direction to actuate said output member in accordance with the difference in the speeds of said drives, and means connected with said output member for adjusting the speed of the associated meter.

3. In a iiuid prcportioner comprising at least two fluid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said low lines, a. fluid meter in each line, the combination of a differential mechanism having two drives and an output member, means connecting a roter to one of said drives, speed adding means connected to be driven by said meters, a speed standard means connected to be driven by said means at a speed equal to the sum of said speeds, speed change means, one ior each meter, connected to be driven by said standard. means and having an output shaft connected to actuate the other drive of said ssociated differential mechanism in a direction to actuate said output member 1n accordance with lie difference in the speeds or" said drives, said speed change means being settable to produce speeds of said other drive which are direct percentages of the speed of said speed standard means, and means connected with said output member for adjusting the speed of the associated meter.

In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two `luid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in eaciA line, the combination oi an adjusting nut connected to be driven by each meter, speed adding means connected to be driven by said meters, speed standard means connected to be driven by said adding means at a speed equal to the sum of the speeds of said meters, an adjusting screw in engagement with each nut, speed change means connected to drive said screws and Connected to be driven by said speed standard means, and means connected for operation by each nut for controlling the speed of the associated meter.

5. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of a diiierential mechanism associated with each meter and having two drives and an output member, means connecting said associated meter to one of said drives, speed adding means connected to be driven by said meters, a speed standard means connected to be driven by said adding means at a speed equal to the sum of said meter speedsy means connected to be driven by said standard means for driving the other drive of said differential mechanism at a speed equivalent to the product of the sum of said meter speeds and the percentage of the total output of the proportioner which is to be delivered by the associated meter and in a direction to actuate said output member in accordance with the direrence in said speeds, and means connected with said output member for adjusting the speed of the associated meter.

6. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid ilow lines, means for supplying uid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of a differential mechanism having rst and second drives and an output member, a change speed mechanism having a speed standard shaft, an output shaft and adjustable means for selectively varying the speed of said output shaft relative to said standard shaft, means for connecting said output shaft to drive said second drive in a direction to impart to said output member a movement proportional to the difference in speeds of said output shaft and the meter, means operable by said output member for controlling the speed of the meter, additional dif,- ferential means comprising means driven by said meters, and means for adding the speeds of al1 of said meters and transmitting said sum to said speed standard shaft.

7. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said fiow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism for each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, and means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and the associated output drive for actuating` the corresponding speed altering means.

8. In a uid proportioner comprising at least two uid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said now lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, meter speed altering means, and means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and the output drive for actuating said speed altering means, said responsive means being connected to move said speed altering means in a direction to equalize the speeds of the meter and change speed mechanism.

9. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid ow lines, means for supplying nuid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, and means associated with each meter responsive to the difference in speeds of said meter and the output drive for actuating said speed altering means.

10. 1n a fiuid proportioner comprising at least two fiuid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism associated with each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, and means associated with each meter and responsive to the difference in speeds of said meter and the output drive for actuating said speed altering means.

l1. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid now lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism associated with each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive,

fi i) means for altering the speed of each meter, and means associated with each meter and responsive to the difference in speeds of said meter and the output drive of the change speed mechanism for actuating said speed altering means, said responsive means being connected to move said speed altering means in a direction to equalize the speeds of said meter and the output drive.

12. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, va uid meter in each line, the combination of means for .0.11- tnuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism for each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and the assoelated output drive for actuating the corresponding speed altering means, and a register connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed.

13. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid ow lines, means for supplying iiuid under pressure to said flow lines, a iiuid meter in each line, the combination or means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism for each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said Standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and the associated output drive for actuating the corresponding speed altering means, and a register connected to be driven by each meter.

le. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two duid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism for each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and the associated output drive for actuating the corresponding speed altering means, a register connected to be driven by each meter, and a register connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed.

15. In a fluid proportioner comprising at least two uid flow lines, means for supplying fiuid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of' said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism for each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and the associated output drive for actuating the corresponding speed altering means, and indicator means connected for operation by said actuating means to indicate the position thereof.

16. n a fiuid proportioner comprising at least two fluid ow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said now lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism for each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed and having an output drive, means for altering the speed of each meter, means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and the associated output drive for actuating the corresponding speed altering means, said actuating means being operable through a predetermined path, and means disposed at a predetermined position in the path of said actuating means for operation thereby for disabling said proportioner upon operation of said actuating means to said position.

17. A metering unit for a proportioner comprising a frame, fluid inlet and outlet lines mounted in said frame, a valve in one oi said lines, a meter connected in said lines, a speed change mechanism mounted in said frame, a differential mechanism connected to be driven by both said meter and said speed change mechanism and adapted to be moved in accordance with the difference in the speeds of said drives and connected to impart acorresponding motion to said valve, a second differential mechanism connected to be driven 'oy said meter, a second drive shaft for said second mechanism extending to one side of said frame and an output shaft from said second mechanism extending to the other side of said frame, said second mechanism serving to add the speeds of said second drive shaft and said meter and to drive said output shaft at the sum of said speeds, and a speed standard shaft connected to drive said speed change mechanism and extending from one side of said frame to the other.

18. A proportioner comprising a number of metering units mounted in side by side relation, each metering unit comprising a frame, uid inlet and outlet lines mounted in said frame, a valve in one of said lines, a meter connected in said lines, a speed change mechanism mounted in said frame, a differential mechanism connected to be driven by both said meter and said speed change mechanism and connected to impart the difference in said drives to said valve, a second differential mechanism connected to be driven by said meter, a second drive shaft for said second mechanism extending to one side of said frame and an output shaft from said second mechanism extending to the other side of said frame, said second mechanism serving to add the speeds of said second drive shaft and said meter and to drive said output shaft at the sum of said speeds, a speed standard shaft connected to drive said speed change mechanism and extending from one side of said frame to the other, said speed standard shafts of all of said units being substantially coaxial and connected in series and said second drive shafts and output shafts of all of said units being substantially coaxial and connected in series, and means on the last unit for connecting the output shaft thereof to drive the speed standard shaft thereof.

19. A metering unit in accordance with claim 17 having a register mounted on the frame, means connecting the register to be driven by the meter and a cover for the frame having a Window therein for displaying the register.

20. A metering unit in accordance with claim 17 having a register mounted on the frame, means connecting the register to be driven by the meter, a cover for the frame having a window therein for displaying the register and a front housing panel for said frame.

21. A proportioner in accordance with claim 18 having a cover hingedly attached to the frame of each unit, a front housing panel connected to the front of each unit and an end housing panel mounted on the exposed side of each end unit.

22. A proportioner in accordance with claim 18 having a register mounted at the top of the frame of each unit, a cover hingedly mounted on the frame at the rear of each unit, and each cover having a window adjacent the register to display it.

23. A proportioner-.in accordance with claim 18, each unit having indicating means mounted on the frame adjacent the front thereof and having a panel mounted on the front of the frame provided with window means disposed to display said indicating means.

24. 1n a fluid proportioner comprising at least two fluid flow lines, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said flow lines, a fluid meter in each line, the combination of means for continuously adding the speeds of all of said meters to produce a standard speed, a change speed mechanism for each meter connected to be driven by said adding means at said standard speed, means for altering the speed of each meter, means responsive to the difference in speeds of a meter and its associated change speed mechanism for actuating the corresponding speed altering means, and means preventing the reversal of operation of said meters and speed adding means.

RALPH B. PRESSLER.

References Cited in the le 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,024,478 Short Dec. 17, 1935 2,024,479 Short Dec. 17, 1935 

